Basketball signal apparatus



Aug. 2, 1938.. I 5, w A 2,125,822

BASKETBALL SIGNAL APPARATUS Filed May 25, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet l .5 i :1 1 o s== ii 45 i z: E 27 J0 I Q /Z7 1 Inventor ,uyWJfizaZZ,

Aug. 2, 1938. (5.. w. SMALL I BASKETBALL S IGNAL APPARATUS Filed May 25, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 2,

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A itorneys Patented Aug. 2, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Guy W. Small, San Diego, cane, assignor of fifty per cent to Myrtle R. Workman, San Diego,

Calif.

Application May 25, 1937, Serial No. 144,716

1 Claim.

This invention appertains to new and useful improvements in signals and more particularly to attachments for basket ball apparatus.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide an annunciator for use in conjunction with basketball baskets so that when a ball passes through the adjacent basket a signal will be given.

Another important object of the invention is to provide goal annunciating means for use in basket ball play which will be substantially foolproof in operation.

These and various other important objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent to the reader of the following specification.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 represents a fragmentary top plan View of the apparatus.

Figure 2 is a sectional view on line 2---2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the strip member.

Figure 4 is a section on the line 4-4 of Figure 5.

Figure 5 is a side eleVatio-nal View of the apparatus.

Figure 6 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially on line 6-6 of Figure 1.

Figure 7 is a plan view of the bifurcated arm.

Figure 8 is a perspective view of the clapper.

Referring to the drawings, wherein like numerals designate like parts, it can be seen in Figure 5 that numeral 5 represents a wall, for instance, of a gymnasium, and to this is attached the basket structure 6, the webbing I of which is cut short as substantially shown.

The signalling or annunciating apparatus is generally referred to by numeral 8 and consists of the shell 9 attached to the wall plate Ill, and on which is located. the bell II attached to the boss I2 projecting from the plate Ill.

A pair of projections I3 are provided at the upper portion of the plate l0 and between this is the inner end portion of the H-shaped arm I4 between the inner leg portions of which extends the pin I5 and also the fulcrum pin I6 which also extends to the projections I3 for rockably supporting the arm I4. The outer end portion of this H-shaped arm I4 is provided with the clamp plate I! for clamping the end portion I8 of the rim I9 firmly to the arm I4. This rim I9 is provided with the mesh filler 20, thus defining a paddle-like structure.

I The shaft I6 extends at one end beyond the corresponding projection I3 of the plate I0 and carries the lateral rider 2I of spring material which rides over the ratchet teeth 22 on the disc 23. Thus, it can be seen that the paddle 20 cannot be moved tooperate the enunciating apparatus if it is hit from the bottom side. This paddle will only operate in a downward direction, that is when a ball is passed through the basket 6.

It will be observed in Figure 6 that the spring 24 is convoluted about the shaft I6 having one end anchored to the shaft and its opposite end secured to the arm I4. Thus the paddle structure is held in a substantially horizontal position 0 when not subjected to force or pressure from the top side.

A block 25 is secured to the plate I0 and has the pivotal plate 26 mounted thereon. .A backwardly bent outwardly and downwardly extend- 15 ing stem 26 is provided on the plate 26 and carries the clapper head 21 at its lower end and with the spring 28 interposed between the stem 26 and the plate I0 to normally maintain the head 21 urgedagainst the bell II. The plate 20 26 is provided with an outstanding rib 28. An elongated trip arm 29 has the head 30 beveled at its lower end and at its upper end is provided with a barrel-like formation through which the pin I5 is disposed. A spring 3| is interposed 25 between the trip 29 and the plate ID to normally tend to urge the trip against the rib 28.

It can now be seen that when pressure is exerted on the top of the paddle 20, the trip 29 will be lifted and the head 30 will engage the 30 rib 28 elevating the same until it passes off of the rib 28, thus releasing the clapper 21 and permitting it to be pulled against the bell II with some force by the spring 28, thus causing an enunciation. 3

While the foregoing specification sets forth the invention in specific terms, it is to be understood that numerous changes in the shape, size, and materials may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the inven- 0 tion as claimed hereinafter.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

In a basketball goal annunciator, a support, a pair of spaced projections extending from the 45 support, a shaft journaled through said projections, a basketball engageable annunciator operating member rockably mounted on the shaft, a spring wound on the shaft and having one end secured to the shaft, and its other end engaged 5 against the annunciator operating member to hold the latter in elevated position, an annular ratchet on one of the projections through which one end of the shaft extends, and a removable cross pin on the last-mentioned end of the shaft 55 for selective engagement with the ratchet.

GUY W. SMALL. 

